HORSE RACING

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

By Richard Eng

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $13,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Nikki’s Curfew – Her race two back, if repeated, is fast enough to crush these; may have bounced last time out.

1 Sally’s Blade – Should maintain her value with low-percentage connections; has shown useful early speed.

Long Shot – 2 Meadow Lake Queen

Race 2 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $38,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

4 Candid Ride – Ran better than looked in last; her race two back, if repeated, is fast enough to graduate today.

8 No Afillyation – Was flattered when Turbulent Descent won next out; showed high cheese in both career starts.

Long Shot – 1 Lula Talullah

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

5 Tokubetsu – FTS from the Bob Baffert barn; he has an uncoupled entry, so be wary of No. 1 Free Pourin.

4 Grip Hands – Another FTS, this one from Craig Dollase; cost $500K at Fasig-Tipton, gets Joel Rosario to ride.

Long Shot – 3 Red Sharp Humor

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $12,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Cajun Beat – Speedy sort has a ton of back class to rely upon; proven he does not need the lead to succeed.

6 Bad Boy – Dead-late closer claimed by Peter Miller off a win; has won 3 in a row, also has back class on her resume.

Long Shot – 9 Self Insured

Race 5 – 6 furlongs (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $44,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

3 El Scorpio – Speedball will enjoy the turf rail out 10 feet; simple tactics of go as fast and as far as he can.

6 Averoo – Very nice second in his U.S. debut; must overcome a potential wide trip from post 6.

Long Shot – 1 Sirocco Strike

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $11,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

9 Scorsese – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this career-low class; big rider switch to Joel Rosario for the money shot.

1 Ribald – Returns off a 20-month hiatus in a career-low class; biggest question will be fitness, has the back class.

Long Shot – 4 Stray Cat

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $40,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Party With Brando – Turned in a subpar effort when third in last; reunited with Rafael Bejarano, expect improvement.

5 Torrey Cliffs – With Mike Mitchell on suspension, his barn will run under assistant Phil D’Amato; don’t expect any drop off.

Long Shot – 2 Bonita Sonador

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Zardana – Tiny edge in a very difficult heat; she beat Rachel Alexandra this spring so she’s good enough.

5 Wynning Ride – Bob Baffert charge has been second in 3-of-4 Inglewood starts; they’ve always held her in high regard.

Long Shot – 8 Lady Railrider

Race 9 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 10 feet), Purse $38,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

1 Cocktails At Seven – There are 8 FTS, so you have a big edge in seeing the tote board; Smarty Jones filly working great.

3 Alokee – Live connections of John Sadler and Joel Rosario; sired by a very quick miler in Cherokee Run.

Long Shot – 4 Toscanova

Best Bet – 4 Nikki’s Curfew (race 1)

Hollywood Park Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/2/$11.60; Long Shots, 9/2/$15.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Park Totals – 332/97/$539.40; Long Shots, 167/29/$273.80; Best Bets, 20/8/$26.80

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – 7 Sky Music (5/2) in race 8 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Love That Dance ran out at Aqueduct. Stats – 199/142/$1,080.70